Spalding United 1 Scunthorpe United 2
Spalding United’s hopes of reaching the Lincs FA Senior Cup final were dashed on Tuesday night – but they performed valiantly in a 2-1 defeat against League Two outfit Scunthorpe United.
The Tulips held their more illustrious hosts to a 0-0 scoreline all the way up until the 72nd minute, when a Scunthorpe’s ‘Trialist A’ bundled the ball home following a corner at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.
Tom Pugh then looked to have sealed The Iron’s progress to the final when he cut in from the left and angled a strike across keeper Michael Duggan four minutes from time to make it 2-0.
Drama was to follow, however, with Pugh and Spalding’s Ben Starkie both sent off minutes later for an altercation on the touchline.
The hosts rallied and Sam Cartwright pulled one back in the third minute of added time, but Brett Whaley’s side couldn’t snatch a leveller – which would have forced a penalty shoot-out.
There were plenty of positives in defeat for Whaley and his side, though.
Indeed, the Tulips fashioned a host of chances on the night with Jordan Macleod, Gregg Smith and Ben Seymour-Shove all going close in the first half and Macleod nearly levelling shortly after the opener.
Boss Whaley said: “We did ourselves justice against a side that had just signed their centre forward from Blackpool and have a £1m right back.
“They dominated posession, which was to be expected. In the end they picked us off, but I think we were a bit tired after chasing the ball a bit too much early in the second half.
“We were a little naive in that respect, perhaps it would have been better to sit in and let them have the ball.
“They’re obviously on another level to what we are used to and asked us some different questions.
“We wanted to reach the final, but I think it was a good workout for us, even in defeat.
“We had a few chances and certainly didn’t disgrace ourselves, they are just levels above what we’re used to.”
Next up for Spalding is a very tough trip to title-chasing Halesowen Town in the Pitching In NPL MIdlands Division on Saturday (3pm).
Tulips: Duggan, Floyd, Ward (Adams), Jones, Stainfield, Cartwright, Starkie, Broccoli, Smith, Macleod, Seymour-Shove (Flitton). Not used: Wilkinson, Koroma.
Attendance: 269.
